To bat against a hard ball you need a bat sized to your height, a certified helmet, pads, batting gloves and an abdominal guard (box), plus cricket shoes and whites or club kit. Many clubs lend shared bats, pads and helmets to newcomers, so buy your own box, gloves and shoes first, then a bat and helmet that fit.
You do not need everything on day one. Here is the full list and the buying order.
Full kit list
| Item | Why | Buy first? |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal guard (box) | Essential protection | Yes |
| Batting gloves | Fit and hygiene | Yes |
| Cricket shoes | Grip on grass | Yes |
| Bat | Sized to your height | Soon |
| Helmet | Certified to BS 7928:2013 | Soon |
| Batting pads | Leg protection | Later, often lent |
| Thigh and arm guards | Extra protection | Later |
| Whites or club kit | Club rules | As needed |
| Kit bag | Carrying everything | Later |
Fit matters most
Use the bat size chart, check ball weights by age, and choose batting pads and shoes for your level.
For younger players, use the junior cricket kit checklist. Browse juniors and beginners.
Batters can compare full-finger and fingerless batting inners.
Compare a club kit with owning your own equipment when planning a junior player’s first season.
Common questions
Do I need my own bat to start?
Not at first. Many clubs have kit bags with bats to borrow. Buy your own once you know your size and style.
What should I buy first?
An abdominal guard, batting gloves and shoes, for fit and hygiene.
Do bowlers need special kit?
Bowlers benefit from shoes with good support and spikes. Fielders close to the bat need helmets and shin guards.